Parole Hearings

What is a parole hearing?

A parole hearing is conducted by the California Board of Prison Terms (BPT). The purpose of a parole hearing is to determine if or when an inmate can be returned to society. Only inmates sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole are subject to suitability hearings by the BPT. Some life inmates are sentenced without the possibility of parole. All prison inmates in California who are not serving life sentences are released on parole after serving the sentence imposed by the court and are supervised by the California Department of Corrections.

Victims, and their family members, who are involved in the lifer hearing process may also contact the Santa Cruz DA's Office Victim Services Unit at (831) 454-2010 for assistance with the following processes:

NOTIFICATION PROCESS

The direct victim of a crime, parent or guardian of a minor victim, victim's next of kin, witness, or concerned citizen may request to be notified of the death, release, placement in a re-entry facility, or escape of the offender(s) who committed the crime. Requests MUST be made in writing either by sending a letter or by completing and submitting a CDCR Form 1707 (Rev. 04/08), Request for Victim Services , to CDCR's Office of Victim & Survivor Rights & Services (OVSRS). If you move, you MUST notify OVSRS of your new address. Note: Information about victims, victim's next of kin, witnesses or concerned citizens is kept confidential and will not be made available to the inmate unless consent is given by the individual requesting notification. For additional information please contact the Office of Victim & Survivor Rights & Services toll free at 1-877-256-OVSS (6877)

VICTIM INPUT INTO SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF PAROLE

You may request input into the following special conditions of parole:

That the parolee be required to live in another county or in another city within the committing county if you are clearly threatened; or if the inmate was convicted of a specific violent felony, you may request parole placement 35 miles from your actual residence.

Restrict the parolee's contact with you. Parolee contact with a victim without prior approval from the parole agent may be justification for revocation and return to custody.

If you are interested in requesting special conditions of parole, complete and submit a CDCR Form 1707 (Rev. 04/08), Request for Victim Services. Please note that requests made for special conditions of parole will be considered by the CDCR Division of Parole Operations prior to the time of the inmate’s release. For additional information, please contact the Office of Victim & Survivor Rights & Services toll free at 1-877-256-OVSS (6877)

VICTIM NOTIFICATION OF BPH HEARING

When requested, the Board of Parole Hearings (BPH) will notify the victim/next of kin/immediate family member of the parole consideration hearing conducted for prisoners sentenced to life terms with the possibility of parole.

Requests MUST be made in writing or by calling the Office of Victim & Survivor Rights & Services (OVSRS). If you move you MUST notify OVSRS of your new address.

Upon receipt of the request, OVSRS will send you a Declaration form to complete and return stating that you are a victim/next of kin/immediate family member of the victim. Once the declaration is returned, your request will be kept on file and you will be notified in writing once the inmate is scheduled for a parole consideration hearing.

A victim may request through the BPH to appear before the hearing panel and make a statement. If you cannot attend the hearing but would like to make a statement, legal counsel may attend the hearing for you or you may submit a written statement, audiocassette or videocassette tape recording to the BPH. Further information may be obtained by contacting the Office of Victim & Survivor Rights & Services toll free at 1-877-256-OVSS (6877)